The '''Misty Mountains''' or '''Mountains of Mist''' ('''''Hithaeglir''''' in [[Sindarin]]<ref group="note">The Hithaeglir were mispelled as "Hithaiglin" on the original ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' map. </ref> as a plural) was a great mountain range that lay between [[Eriador]] in the west and the Great River [[Anduin]] in the east. They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the far north to [[Methedras]] in the south. Some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters).<ref group="note">Their height as calculated in ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' by [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]. This would make the Misty Mountains of similar height as the Alps in Europe, which makes sense, since Tolkien visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.</ref>

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The '''Misty Mountains''' or '''Mountains of Mist''' ('''''Hithaeglir''''' in [[Sindarin]]{{ref|1}}) was a great mountain range that lay between [[Eriador]] in the west and the Great River [[Anduin]] in the east. They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) from [[Mount Gundabad]] in the far north to [[Methedras]] in the south. Some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters){{ref|2}}.

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== Geographic Features ==

== Geographic Features ==

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The most important peaks were [[Mount Gundabad]], [[Redhorn]], [[Silvertine]], [[Cloudyhead]], and [[Methedras]].

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The most important peaks were [[Mount Gundabad]], [[Caradhras|Redhorn]], [[Celebdil|Silvertine]], [[Cloudyhead]], and [[Methedras]].

=== Important Peaks ===

=== Important Peaks ===

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The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains was Mount Gundabad, where according to legend [[Durin I|Durin]], eldest of the [[Seven Fathers of the Dwarves]], awoke. Later it became a haven for Orcs.

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The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains was Mount Gundabad, where according to legend [[Durin]], eldest of the [[Seven Fathers of the Dwarves]], awoke. Later it became a haven for Orcs.

The greatest [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] realm in Middle-Earth, [[Khazad-dûm]], was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, Redhorn (''[[Caradhras]]'' in Sindarin), Silvertine (''[[Celebdil]]''), and Cloudyhead (''[[Fanuidhol]]''). Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the [[Endless Stair]], a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak. The southernmost mountain was Methedras (Sindarin for "Last Peak").

The greatest [[Dwarves|Dwarven]] realm in Middle-Earth, [[Khazad-dûm]], was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, Redhorn (''[[Caradhras]]'' in Sindarin), Silvertine (''[[Celebdil]]''), and Cloudyhead (''[[Fanuidhol]]''). Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the [[Endless Stair]], a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak. The southernmost mountain was Methedras (Sindarin for "Last Peak").

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== History ==

== History ==

=== Origins ===

=== Origins ===

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The Misty Mountains were created by the [[Vala]] [[Melkor]] during the [[Years of the Trees]] as a hindrance for [[Oromë]], who would hunt his fell creatures. They would later serve as a deterrent for the Elves during the [[Great Journey]], causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not cross the Misty Mountains would become the [[Nandor]].

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The Misty Mountains were created by the [[Valar|Vala]] [[Morgoth|Melkor]] during the [[Years of the Trees]] as a hindrance for [[Oromë]], who would hunt his fell creatures. They would later serve as a deterrent for the Elves during the [[Great Journey]], causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not cross the Misty Mountains would become the [[Nandor]].

=== Inhabitants ===

=== Inhabitants ===

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The great Dwarven city of [[Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There [[Durin's folk]] lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the [[Iron Hills]]. Until the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]], which drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves either before or after the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

The great Dwarven city of [[Khazad-dûm]] (later called the "Black Pit" of [[Moria]]) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There [[Durin's folk]] lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the [[Iron Hills]]. Until the awakening of [[Durin's Bane]], which drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves either before or after the [[War of the Dwarves and Orcs]], dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

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When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]] (where [[Bilbo]] found the [[One Ring]]), later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between.

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When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the [[Shadow]] was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in [[Goblin-town]] (where [[Bilbo Baggins]] found [[the One Ring]]), later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between.

====Elves====

====Elves====

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The Elven enclave of [[Rivendell]], the home of [[Elrond]], was built in the western foothills beneath High Pass. On the eastern side of the mountains, near the source of the [[Silverlode]] river, lay the Kingdom of [[Lórien in Middle-earth|Lorien]] under the rule of Lord [[Celeborn, Lord of Lórien|Celeborn]] and Lady [[Galadriel]]. While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.

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The Elven enclave of [[Rivendell]], the home of [[Elrond]], was built in the western foothills beneath High Pass. On the eastern side of the mountains, near the source of the [[Silverlode]] river, lay the Kingdom of [[Lothlórien|Lorien]] under the rule of Lord [[Celeborn]] and Lady [[Galadriel]]. While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.

====Men====

====Men====

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The land east of the Misty Mountains and south of the Grey Mountains was the ancestral home of the [[Éothéod]], the forefathers of the [[Rohirrim]]. Their capital was [[Framsburg]].

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The land east of the Misty Mountains and south of the Grey Mountains was the ancestral home of the [[Éothéod]], the forefathers of the [[Rohirrim]]. Their capital was [[Framsburg]].

====Wraiths====

====Wraiths====

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In the [[Third Age]] the [[Witch-king of Angmar|Witch-king]] built the Kingdom of [[Angmar]] in the western lands between the Misty Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar. The evil country was peopled by fallen Men, Orcs, and other creatures of [[Sauron]]. Its capital was [[Carn Dûm]]. At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a [[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]]. In the Third Age the south lands were protected by [[Rohan]].

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In the [[Third Age]] the [[Witch-king]] built the Kingdom of [[Angmar]] in the western lands between the Misty Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar. The evil country was peopled by fallen Men, Orcs, and other creatures of [[Sauron]]. Its capital was [[Carn Dûm]]. At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was [[Isengard]], which was originally a [[Gondor|Gondorian]] fortress but was later given to [[Saruman]]. In the Third Age the south lands were protected by [[Rohan]].

====Hobbits====

====Hobbits====

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Hobbits lived for untold years along the foothills of the Misty Mountains near the [[Vales of Anduin]]. Around Third Age 1050, the Hobbit group known as the [[Harfoots]] migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]]. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migrated east as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

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Hobbits lived for untold years along the foothills of the Misty Mountains near the [[Vales of Anduin]]. Around {{TA|1050|n}}, the Hobbit group known as the [[Harfoots]] migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in [[Mirkwood]]. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the [[Stoors]] and [[Fallohides]], migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

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====Eagles====

====Eagles====

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Near the east exit of Goblin-town was the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs. Much further south, Ents guarded [[Fangorn Forest]], the last remnant of the great [[Southern Forest]] that surrounded the Misty Mountains eons ago.

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Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs. Much further south, Ents guarded [[Fangorn Forest]], the last remnant of the great [[Southern Forest]] that surrounded the Misty Mountains eons ago.

=== In the Third Age ===

=== In the Third Age ===

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Later the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] tried to cross Redhorn Pass, after choosing not to use the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orcs patrols or Saruman's forces. A powerful blizzard blocked the Redhorn Pass, forcing the Fellowship to journey through Moria. There they faced the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that ruled the mines. Gandalf slew the Balrog by throwing it from the Silvertine, but sacrificied his own life in doing so.

Later the [[Fellowship of the Ring]] tried to cross Redhorn Pass, after choosing not to use the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orcs patrols or Saruman's forces. A powerful blizzard blocked the Redhorn Pass, forcing the Fellowship to journey through Moria. There they faced the [[Durin's Bane|Balrog]] that ruled the mines. Gandalf slew the Balrog by throwing it from the Silvertine, but sacrificied his own life in doing so.

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== Portrayal in Adaptations ==

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'''2001: ''[[The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring]]'':'''

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:The Misty Mountain range as the Fellowship tries to cross the pass of [[Caradhras]].

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'''2007: ''[[The Lord of the Rings Online]]'':'''

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:Misty Mountains appear as both a major game region and within other game areas. The region of "Misty Mountains" consists of the part of the mountain range adjacent to Rivendell Valley, including both [[High Pass]] and [[Goblin-town]]. The mountain range in a broader sense can also be accessed from other in-game regions, including the pass Caradhras in [[Eregion]], former settlement of Dwarves under [[Thror]] in eastern [[Enedwaith]], a village on the slopes of mount [[Methedras]] in [[Dunland]], the cliffs of [[Zirakzigil]] in Moria and the eastern slopes of the Mountains in [[Lothlorien]].

== "Misty Mountains" Outside of Tolkien ==

== "Misty Mountains" Outside of Tolkien ==

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* Robert Jordan's fantasy series ''The Wheel of Time'' also features a mountain range called the ''Mountains of Mist''.

* Robert Jordan's fantasy series ''The Wheel of Time'' also features a mountain range called the ''Mountains of Mist''.

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== Notes ==

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==Notes==

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# {{note|1}} The Hithaeglir were mispelled as "Hithaiglin" on the original ''[[The Lord of the Rings|Lord of the Rings]]'' map.

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<references group="note"/>

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# {{note|2}}Their height as calculated in ''[[The Atlas of Middle-earth]]'' by [[Karen Wynn Fonstad]]. This would make the Misty Mountains of similar height as the Alps in Europe, which make sense, since Tolkien visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.

The Misty Mountains or Mountains of Mist (Hithaeglir in Sindarin[note 1] as a plural) was a great mountain range that lay between Eriador in the west and the Great River Anduin in the east. They ran 795 miles (1,280 kilometers) from Mount Gundabad in the far north to Methedras in the south. Some of the peaks may have been as high as 12,000 feet (3,660 meters).[note 2]

Geographic Features

Important Peaks

The northernmost peak of the Misty Mountains was Mount Gundabad, where according to legend Durin, eldest of the Seven Fathers of the Dwarves, awoke. Later it became a haven for Orcs.

The greatest Dwarven realm in Middle-Earth, Khazad-dûm, was located at the midpoint of the Misty Mountains. The city was built under three peaks, Redhorn (Caradhras in Sindarin), Silvertine (Celebdil), and Cloudyhead (Fanuidhol). Inside Silvertine the Dwarves built the Endless Stair, a stairway from the foundations of the mountain to its peak. The southernmost mountain was Methedras (Sindarin for "Last Peak").

Passes over the Misty Mountains

Routes around the Misty Mountains

The Gap of Rohan was a passable valley between the southernmost peak of the Misty Mountains and the northernmost of the White Mountains. In the far north the Misty Mountains formed a T with the Grey Mountains, preventing a northern route around them.

History

Origins

The Misty Mountains were created by the ValaMelkor during the Years of the Trees as a hindrance for Oromë, who would hunt his fell creatures. They would later serve as a deterrent for the Elves during the Great Journey, causing some to turn south. The Elves that would not cross the Misty Mountains would become the Nandor.

Inhabitants

Dwarves

The great Dwarven city of Khazad-dûm (later called the "Black Pit" of Moria) was located near the middle of the mountain chain. There Durin's folk lived for thousands of years with a kingdom which spread as far as Gundabad and as far east as the Iron Hills. Until the awakening of Durin's Bane, which drove the Dwarves from their city. It also seems that some Dwarves either before or after the War of the Dwarves and Orcs, dwelt on the eastern side of the mountains near Goblin-town.

When the Dwarves were strong, the mountains were generally free of Orcs, but when the Shadow was strong, Orcs bred in Mount Gundabad, in Goblin-town (where Bilbo Baggins found the One Ring), later in Moria itself, and everywhere in between.

Elves

The Elven enclave of Rivendell, the home of Elrond, was built in the western foothills beneath High Pass. On the eastern side of the mountains, near the source of the Silverlode river, lay the Kingdom of Lorien under the rule of Lord Celeborn and Lady Galadriel. While Elves guarded both sides of the Misty Mountains, few ever crossed them.

Men

The land east of the Misty Mountains and south of the Grey Mountains was the ancestral home of the Éothéod, the forefathers of the Rohirrim. Their capital was Framsburg.

Wraiths

In the Third Age the Witch-king built the Kingdom of Angmar in the western lands between the Misty Mountains and the Mountains of Angmar. The evil country was peopled by fallen Men, Orcs, and other creatures of Sauron. Its capital was Carn Dûm. At the southern tip of the Misty Mountains, beneath Methedras, was Isengard, which was originally a Gondorian fortress but was later given to Saruman. In the Third Age the south lands were protected by Rohan.

Hobbits

Hobbits lived for untold years along the foothills of the Misty Mountains near the Vales of Anduin. Around 1050, the Hobbit group known as the Harfoots migrated west across the Misty Mountains, fleeing the ever more numerous Men and the Shadow growing in Mirkwood. Later the other two groups of Hobbits, the Stoors and Fallohides, migrated west as well, until by 2500 no Hobbits could be found east of the mountains.

Eagles

Near the east exit of Goblin-town the Eagles kept an eyrie to keep watch on the Orcs. Much further south, Ents guarded Fangorn Forest, the last remnant of the great Southern Forest that surrounded the Misty Mountains eons ago.

In the Third Age

Thorin and Company used the High Pass to cross the Misty Mountains, and were captured by the Orcs of Goblin-town.

Later the Fellowship of the Ring tried to cross Redhorn Pass, after choosing not to use the High Pass or the Gap of Rohan because of the threat of Orcs patrols or Saruman's forces. A powerful blizzard blocked the Redhorn Pass, forcing the Fellowship to journey through Moria. There they faced the Balrog that ruled the mines. Gandalf slew the Balrog by throwing it from the Silvertine, but sacrificied his own life in doing so.

Portrayal in Adaptations

Misty Mountains appear as both a major game region and within other game areas. The region of "Misty Mountains" consists of the part of the mountain range adjacent to Rivendell Valley, including both High Pass and Goblin-town. The mountain range in a broader sense can also be accessed from other in-game regions, including the pass Caradhras in Eregion, former settlement of Dwarves under Thror in eastern Enedwaith, a village on the slopes of mount Methedras in Dunland, the cliffs of Zirakzigil in Moria and the eastern slopes of the Mountains in Lothlorien.

"Misty Mountains" Outside of Tolkien

Led Zeppelin recorded a song, "Misty Mountain Hop", which seems to have borrowed the name but little else from Tolkien. Several other Led Zeppelin songs contain Tolkien references.

Robert Jordan's fantasy series The Wheel of Time also features a mountain range called the Mountains of Mist.

Notes

↑ Their height as calculated in The Atlas of Middle-earth by Karen Wynn Fonstad. This would make the Misty Mountains of similar height as the Alps in Europe, which makes sense, since Tolkien visited the Alps in his youth and was greatly impressed by them.